The reason why Zhang Shen came out to gather the Level Four masters and some high-ranking generals was that the order to retreat was too important. In terms of official position, he was just an advisor to Yang Gong, not someone who could make decisions.
Yang Gong, the one who could make decisions, was unconscious, and it was hard to say whether he was alive or dead. The other one who could make decisions had been killed by Xu Erlang.
From Qingzhou to Xunzhou, he had fought and killed all along the way. This delicate scholar with a stunning appearance had accumulated an incalculable malice in his heart.
In the past, even if Xu Erlang had ten times the guts, he wouldn't have dared to kill a second-class second-rank political envoy.
In troubled times, human lives were as worthless as grass. This did not only apply to the common people, but also to the officials and soldiers.
Soon, apart from the generals on duty, all the higher-ups were gathered in the Commander's Courtyard.
Among these people were a few leaders and leaders of the Wulin League, Chu Yuanzhen, Hengy Yuan, Yang Qianhuan, and other leaders of the Revolutionary Army, Yang Yan, Chen Ying, and other military generals of the imperial court. There were also former generals of the garrison of Qingzhou who did not have a high cultivation base but had rich experience in leading troops and fighting.
It was worth mentioning that the former commander-in-chief of Qingzhou, Meticulousness, the highest-ranking official aside from Yang Gong, had already been sacrificed in Xunzhou.
In the inner hall, a middle-aged eunuch wearing an embroidered robe looked around after everyone had gathered.
"How is Eunuch Yang's injury?"
Li Mubai, who was sitting on the first seat on the left, said calmly,
"His life is saved, but he is still unconscious. As for when he will wake up, we don't know."
The eunuch frowned and looked to the side at the figure in white who had his back to the crowd.
"You can't even save Yang Qianhuan?"
The white-robed figure, who had his back to the crowd, raised his chin and said arrogantly,
"If it weren't for this Yang who holds the moon and plucks the stars, Yang Gong would have already died in the city."
The Palmprint Eunuch's lips moved. He dismissed the idea of talking to Yang Qianhuan, withdrew his gaze, and continued to ask,
"Where is Yao Hong?"
Everyone looked at Xu Xinnian.
To tell the truth, Yang Yan and the others had experienced ups and downs in the officialdom for many years. Unless they had no other choice, they really did not dare to kill a second-rank administrative envoy.
As for the leaders of the Wulin League, they would never do such a thing. After all, the Prefect of a state was a second-class official. How could they, outsiders, kill him as they please?
The Wulin League and the imperial court of Daibun had formed such a close relationship. It would not be worth it if the relationship was broken or if there was a rift between them because of a fit of anger.
Xu Xinnian was probably the only one who had such confidence and decisiveness. When he saw that something was wrong, he immediately extinguished it. He even knew that everyone had concerns and took the initiative to stand up and bear the burden.
Although he was not as dazzling as his cousin, Xu Qi'an, his ability, courage, and responsibility had won the unanimous approval of Yang Yan and the others.
Xu Xinnian replied calmly,
"In order to appease the officialdom and the gentry, Prefect Yao has become ill from overwork and is recuperating at the residence."
Later, he would give Yao Hong a chance to "sacrifice himself for his country."
Xu Xinnian was not afraid that the empress would condemn him after the matter was exposed. Not to mention whether Huaiqing would condemn him, even if she did, he could just turn around and push his brother forward. Who would dare to make a sound?
"Thank you for your hard work, Sir Yao!"
The eunuch coughed and went straight to the point.
"Today, I receive the imperial edict of Her Majesty to order you to evacuate Yongzhou overnight, preserve your strength, and retreat to the capital."
No one spoke. Everyone communicated with their eyes in silence. There was no surprise, only anger and reluctance.
First of all, Yongzhou was the last barrier. If they lost Yongzhou, the Yunzhou Army would attack the capital.
With the foresight of Xu Erlang and the others, they could actually understand that fighting to the death with the Yunzhou Army in the capital would give them a better chance of winning.
However, the problem was that this was a risky move. Daibun would have no way out.
Secondly, if they surrendered Yongzhou, Xu Pingfeng's combat power would increase to another level. The Yunzhou Army would also seize the resources in Yongzhou and recruit more soldiers. It was not easy to cripple the Yunzhou Army. Were they going to waste all their efforts?
Finally, what would happen to the people in Yongzhou?
Although human lives were worthless in troubled times, people still had a compassionate heart. If the Yunzhou Army massacred the entire city, the hundreds of thousands of people …
Seeing that no one spoke, Li Mubai coughed and said,
"Forgive me for not being able to comply!
"If we give up Yongzhou, it will boost the morale of the Yunzhou Army and will not allow them to recover. The tribulation battle in the north hasn't ended yet, but if we follow Her Majesty's instructions, even if Xu Yinluo wins the tribulation battle in the north, we may not have a chance of winning. "
Don't forget that the success of Luo Yuheng's tribulation only barely equaled their combat power. It didn't mean that Daibun could fight back against Yunzhou.
Zhang Shen said faintly,
"Her Majesty is very talented, but she is not good at leading troops to war. It is inevitable that she will make a mistake.
"As the saying goes, when a general is on the battlefield, he may not obey the emperor's orders. We also have our own ideas. If Her Majesty wants to blame us, you can look for me, Zhang Shen."
Yang Yan and the others were Wei Yuan's trusted aides, and they were the Empress's trusted aides as well. However, they supported the scholars of Yunlu Academy on this matter.
Her Majesty, Huaiqing, was as talented as a man and was even better than the average scholar. However, she was also a woman. What did she know about war?
However, they were the empress's people after all. Although they thought about it, they would not show it.
Fu Jingmen snorted and said,
"If you want to retreat, you can do it yourself. The Wulin League will not retreat!"
Yang Cuixue touched her sword and said in a low voice,
"My disciples died in Yongzhou, so I should die here too. Only then will I be worthy of being a teacher and disciple.
"The Wulin League is not under the control of the imperial court. If you want to leave, you can leave."
The generals of Qingzhou were slightly moved and their blood was boiling.
Her Majesty was right. These people really disobeyed … The eunuch remembered what Her Majesty had told him before he left for Yongzhou.
Her Majesty said that if the troops in Yongzhou disobeyed, she would tell them that Duke Wei had come back to life.
Her Majesty had foresight! The eunuch took a deep breath and said,
"This is an order from Duke Wei!"
After he finished speaking, he realized that the hall suddenly became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. Everyone looked at him without saying a word.
The look in their eyes was very strange, indescribably strange.
After a few seconds, the veins on Yang Yan's forehead protruded as he enunciated each word.
"Are you making fun of us?"
He swore that if this damn eunuch dared to admit it, he would dare to stab his spear through his chest in front of everyone.
The eunuch came from Huaiqing's mansion and was experienced in all kinds of situations. He was not afraid at all.
He said calmly, "Duke Wei has come back to life today. Her Majesty personally summoned his soul. If you don't believe me, you can verify it when you return to the capital. "
The hall was in an uproar.
Everyone had different expressions. Some were ecstatic, some were confused, some were shocked, some were doubtful, and some were excited …
Zhang Shen said in a low voice,
"If Wei Yuan has really come back to life, then I agree to retreat to the capital."
Because Wei Yuan was in charge of the army, the decision to retreat to the capital was not a desperate one, but a desperate one.
But everyone still did not believe it.
Wei Yuan had already died in Jing Shan City. How could he come back to life?
At this moment, the people in the hall heard Yang Qianhuan say slowly,
"He is not lying!"
Everyone's eyes immediately focused on the back of the warlock in white's head.
Yang Yan quickly asked for confirmation,
"Did you use the Aura Observation Spell?"
"You don't seem to have turned your head …" Xu Erlang and others added in their hearts.
Yang Qianhuan snorted, then said in a slow, impatient tone, "You're right, Master.
"No, I didn't look. But … "
He deliberately paused to gain everyone's attention.
"I want to hit him …" The veins on the back of Yang Yan and others bulged, and they could not help but tighten their grip on their weapons.
Yang Qianhuan didn't care what the others thought. He himself was as calm as an old dog.
He said unhurriedly, "But I have seen Wei Yuan's body in Song Qing's secret chamber, and I also know that Xu Qi 'an has been trying to resurrect Wei Yuan."
"Oh, it's Wei Yuan who was resurrected by Xu Yinluo …" Everyone suddenly realized.
The doubts in Yang Yan and Jinluo's minds dissipated.
If it was Xu Qi 'an who was resurrecting Wei Yuan, it was indeed more believable than the explanation of "Her Majesty personally summoning the soul to resurrect Wei Yuan."
Li Mubai exhaled as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He looked around at the crowd.
"So, what do you think?"
"Let's withdraw!" Fu Jingmen immediately said.
Everyone chose to withdraw from Yongzhou on the spot. Yang Yan and the others could not wait to return to the capital and see Wei Yuan.
"Yang Yan, Chen Ying, Yang Qianhuan …"
The Palm Eunuch called out the trusted aides of Wei Yuan and the Empress, as well as the Act Tough King.
"All of you have other tasks and do not need to return to the capital with the army."
Yang Yan and the others looked at each other and said,
"What instructions does Duke Wei have?"
The Palm Eunuch took out the brocade pouch and smiled.
"It's all in there."
The Palm Eunuch could leave as he pleased, but the evacuation of the army was a tedious and complicated task, including but not limited to gathering troops, moving weapons, money, and destroying the ballistae and cannons that could not be carried.
Because the Yunzhou Army was only 25 kilometers away, they could not evacuate on a large scale in order not to alarm the enemy.
Therefore, the garrison did not alarm the civilians. However, Xu Erlang asked Miao Youfang to lead the troops and bring along the rich and officials.
Those who were unwilling to leave would be persuaded by reason.
In addition, Li Mubai ordered people to make straw dolls and placed them densely on the city wall to confuse the Yunzhou Army's scouts.
…
At dawn, when the sky was the darkest.
The Yunzhou Army, which had already assembled, quietly approached Yongzhou City under the cover of the main army.
A scout with good cultivation, with his strong eyesight and a telescope, looked at the top of Yongzhou City and saw the densely packed figures standing in the darkness.
"Hiss, something is wrong …"
The scout took a deep breath and muttered to himself,
"Why did their numbers suddenly increase by several times? Did they expect us to attack the city?"
Normally, there wouldn't be too many guards on duty at the top of the city walls. There would only be a certain number of guards. Most of the soldiers would rest in the barracks at the foot of the city to ensure that their bodies were in peak condition.
Vigilance was the job of the scouts.
The scout turned his head and said to his companions,
"Go back and report. Just say that the situation at the top of the city wall is not right. There are a large number of people on night duty. I'm afraid it's a trap."
He was worried that their movements had been predicted in advance. The defenders were fully prepared and had even formulated an attack plan.
The scouts quickly went to the Yunzhou Army to report the situation. To be cautious, the army stopped and sent scouts to patrol the surroundings to collect information.
Time passed second by second. The eastern sky gradually turned bright, and the pitch-black sky turned dark.
At this time, the Yunzhou Army realized that something was wrong. The people standing on top of the city wall were actually straw men.
A straw doll?
In the tent, Qi Guangbo's heart sank when he heard the report.
He said, "Send a winged cavalry warrior to investigate the situation."
A rider from the Vermilion Bird Army rode a winged cavalry warrior and rushed to Yongzhou City. He circled above the city for a long time before returning to the Yunzhou Army.
The defenders of Daibun had withdrawn from Yongzhou, and the barracks were empty.
Qi Guangbo didn't hesitate anymore. He sent his army to the city and easily took over Yongzhou.
After some exploration and investigation, he found that the defenders of Daibun had taken away the provisions, gold, silver, and armaments. They had also destroyed the large-scale equipment.
Only a few hundred thousand civilians of Yongzhou were left.
…
Inside the barbican.
Xu Pingfeng, who was dressed in white, listened to Qi Guangbo's report. He wasn't surprised.
He exhaled and said, "Wei Yuan wants to compete with me in the capital."
Qi Guangbo, who was dressed in military attire, placed his hand on the hilt of his saber and said slowly,
"As expected of Wei Yuan. Such decisiveness isn't something an ordinary person can have."
Instead of defending Yongzhou to the death, it was indeed a better idea to retreat to the capital to preserve the high-end combat power and troops. However, the corresponding price was enough to put a group of experienced generals and strategists in a difficult position.
However, the first thing that Wei Yuan did after his resurrection was to transfer the troops of Yongzhou back to the capital to increase the defense of the capital.
A qualified commander was reflected in these details.
Qi Guangbo continued,
"The money, provisions, and armaments have all been taken away. However, the civilians are still here, and every household has some reserves. The Jianghu forces of Yongzhou are also still here. Very good."
Those who could live in Yongzhou were all well-off. If they dug three feet into the ground, they would be able to extract a considerable amount of wealth to supplement the expenses of the army.
As for the Jianghu forces of Yongzhou, they could be roped in and used to make up for the lack of combat power.
Xu Pingfeng said,
"After a short rest, I will immediately head north after I have refined Yongzhou. Wei Yuan wants to use Yongzhou to feed us and stall for time? How can we let him do as he wishes? "
Qi Guangbo took a deep breath and was full of fighting spirit.
"The advisor's idea is to deploy troops in the capital before the Northern Calamity War ends and force Xu Qi 'an and the other Transcendents to use the capital as the battlefield to determine the outcome of the war with Daibun."
Xu Pingfeng nodded slightly.
"It's time for this war to end. Do we have to tangle with Daibun for a few more months? I won't give Wei Yuan a chance to breathe. Let's fight speed with speed and end the war quickly. "
Qi Guangbo nodded. This was his idea too.
At this point, the battlefield had been pushed to the capital, and it could be the final conclusion of the War of Zhuolu.
"How's the war in the north?"
He found it hard to believe that Galo Tree and the White Emperor had not killed the Transcendents on Daibun's side.
Xu Pingfeng said,
"My clone has already gone to the north."
The clone had no combat power. He was just worried about the battlefield in the north and wanted to see what was going on with his own eyes.
As a chess player, he was used to having everything under control. Therefore, when the war in the north fell into a stalemate, he instinctively felt anxious and uneasy.
What was certain was that something must have gone wrong in the Calamity War.
Xu Pingfeng could more or less guess that the problem lay with Xu Qi 'an. The problem was that his "Dao" was getting stronger as the battle went on. However, even with his wisdom, he still could not figure out what kind of power could support a Second Grade Warrior to fight with a First Grade Warrior for so long.
It was unheard of.
Of course, he did not know that there were only a handful of people in the world who knew about this, and they were all old monsters who had lived for countless years.
That Immortal Tree was living a comfortable life in the palace.
…
"Aunt Mu, don't you know?"
Xu Lingyue blinked her eyes, and said in a soft, weak, and harmless tone,
"The Spring Sacrifice is over. My brother's marriage with His Highness Lin An will be in half a month. Didn't my mother tell you?"
In the palace, at the stone table in the elegant courtyard, Mu Nanzi said angrily,
"Your mother only knows how to grow flowers all day. Those who don't know would think that she is the Flower Goddess!"
Xu Lingyue said blankly,
"What Flower Goddess?"
"Nothing. I'm going to Feng Qi Palace to see that old woman!" Mu Nanzi stood up.
Xu Lingyue was taken aback and looked at Mu Nanzi repeatedly. The old woman must be referring to the Empress Dowager. Who was she to dare to call the Empress Dowager that?
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